New grant to boost online food trading

Oisin Geoghegan, Head of the Fingal Local Enterprise Office, with Raman Patel of Patel’s Food Company.

FOOD and online sales were both on the menu at the Dublin Food Chain event in the capital, as the Local Enterprise Offices announced details of a new grant scheme to help more small businesses in Ireland trade online.

Organised by the Local Enterprise Offices, the Dublin Food Chain is a collaborative forum to promote food heritage throughout the Dublin region.

Speaking at the event, Greg Swift, Head of the Local Enterprise Office Dublin City, highlighted a new grant scheme that can help more small food businesses grow and expand online.

He said: 'Small businesses across every sector of the food industry need to respond effectively to the ever-increasing trend towards online trading. As part of the National Digital Strategy, a new Online Trading Voucher Programme, through the Local Enterprise Offices, will help get thousands of Irish businesses, including those in the food sector, trading online by the end of 2015.'

He added: 'In collaboration with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Local Enterprise Offices in Dublin are now offering small businesses grant-aid of up to €2,500, or 50% of eligible costs, to help them trade online and to roll out their digital marketing strategy.'

James Burke, the co-ordinator of the Dublin Food Chain, said: 'This event brought together over 250 food producers and trade buyers, with the aim of helping more food companies make a breakthrough online, securing more sales channels in the process. Supported by the Local Enterprise Offices and industry leaders, including the Irish Exporters Association, AIB and Bord Bia, the Dublin Food Chain offers a unique platform for the development and growth of high quality Irish brands, helping to put the region at the very centre of Ireland's food map.'

The Dublin Food Chain is sponsored by Bord Bia, the Irish Exporters Association and AIB and details around future events are available at www.dublinfoodchain.ie